When asked on Sky Sports News HQ whether McTominay would be named in his squad, McLeish said: “He will be, I don’t think that’s the world’s best-kept secret.

“Scott was very receptive. I looked him in the eye and he gave me a passion about playing for Scotland. I saw the passion and I really felt that we had nailed it that day.

“Of course he has to play in a competitive game but if we can get him playing in the friendlies and he sees what it’s all about and we can have some good performances, obviously winning is the big thing, and then Scott will be very much a part of it.

“He has had some great games with Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United in recent times. The Crystal Palace game was a tough one for him but he is only 21, he has not got all the answers.